DC Lawyers for Youth is proud to honor Chynna Deaner as its April 2011 Young Achiever. While Chynna’s academic record is outstanding, it is her service to others that is truly remarkable.  At only 15 years old she is already a mentor and a tutor blazing a trail for others to reach their own personal success.

Chynna, a 9th grade student at Hyde Leadership Public Charter School and Deanwood resident, is a tutor with Reach Incorporated. Reach improves literacy skills, across ages, by hiring and training adolescents to tutor in DC elementary schools. Two days each week, Chynna receives training to provide instruction in the five core components of literacy development: fluency, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and text comprehension. On two alternating days, Chynna works with Taylor, an energetic second grade student.

Chynna pushes Taylor to give her best. Though Taylor, like many young learners, can get distracted at times, Chynna continually pushes Taylor to do more. Together, they work on journal entries, read stories, and complete book reports. Chynna finds creative ways to motivate Taylor each day.  With Chynna’s continued hard work, both she and Taylor will continue to thrive.

While Chynna’s performance in Reach’s after-school program is impressive, she handles her in-class responsibilities with equal devotion.  In addition to her nearly perfect attendance, Chynna is an honor roll student currently carrying a grade point average of 3.43. Her well-developed social skills and impressive record of achievement predict success in her efforts to become a forensic scientist.  To view the full video of Chynna Deaner’s interview with DC Lawyers for Youth, CLICK HERE.

Know a Young Achiever in DC?  Then let us know about the young person in your community who is making a difference.  Visit us at http://www.dcly.org/our-work-initiatives/young-achievers.